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Published on: June 20, 2018
Dorsal nasal mucocele: a delayed complication of rhinoplasty
Lauren E Tracy1,2, Karam Badran3, Parwiz Siaghani4
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. ltracy@uci.edu.
Unlabelled:
Mucocele formation is a very rare complication of rhinoplasty surgery, with only 26 incidences documented in the medical literature. Postrhinoplasty nasal mucoceles are believed to result from the growth of ectopic nasal respiratory epithelium displaced during the rhinoplasty procedure. Although most cases of nasal mucocele present within weeks of rhinoplasty surgery, exceptional accounts describe nasal mucoceles presenting years after rhinoplasty. This case report describes an extremely delayed case of dorsal nasal mucocele that presented 21 years after the patient underwent a septorhinoplasty. The aesthetically bothersome mucocele was successfully removed with an open rhinoplasty approach, and the histopathologic analysis was consistent with a simple benign mucous retention cyst. The history, etiology, and prevention of mucocele formation in rhinoplasty surgery also are discussed.
Level Of Evidence V:
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Insights
A rare mucocele complication after rhinoplasty surgery, presenting 21 years later, was successfully treated. This case highlights delayed nasal mucoceles and their management post-septorhinoplasty.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Rhinologic Surgery
Background:
- Mucocele formation is a rare complication following rhinoplasty surgery.
- Post-rhinoplasty nasal mucoceles are typically attributed to displaced nasal respiratory epithelium.
- Most cases present within weeks, but delayed presentations are documented.
Observation:
- This report details an extremely delayed dorsal nasal mucocele presenting 21 years after septorhinoplasty.
- The mucocele caused aesthetic concerns for the patient.
- Surgical removal was performed using an open rhinoplasty approach.
Findings:
- Histopathologic analysis confirmed a simple benign mucous retention cyst.
- The delayed presentation is exceptionally rare in the medical literature.
Implications:
- This case underscores the possibility of very late-onset mucoceles after rhinoplasty.
- Understanding the etiology and prevention of these delayed complications is crucial.
- Successful surgical management of delayed nasal mucoceles is achievable.
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